Rookie KEN LOSCH has the pole position for Saturday's Indy Pro Series Race with a speed of 188.321mph. He said his team - which he founded with RYAN RUTH - was a late entry in IPS and the team is tripping over itself while gelling, but it is coming together.

The Canadian came from the Star Mazda Series, where he raced for the past two years with his own team. Losch said: "the track is intense, but it's so long one so I can relax in places. It's run very professionally, so it's very safe."

Nearly 47 years old, Losch is the second oldest driver in the race, behind TOM WIERINGA, who is nearly 55. The two drivers have birthdays the same week in June.

Starting second is ALEX LLOYD. He is one of three drivers for the team, headed by SAM SCHMIDT, former Indy Racing League driver before an IRL crash ended his racing career.

"The track circumstances change a lot due to the weather - they can change within half an hour, and there's something in the wind which can play havoc during the race," Lloyd said, "Concentration and a good car are necessary as this is a difficult place all around. The series now has a larger depth of field this year, with now 15-16 drivers who could win."

Third fastest was Losch's team-mate and PR Manager, MIKE POTEKHEN. Fourth was rookie HIDEKI MUTOH, followed by 2005 IPS champion, WADE CUNNINGHAM.

The youngest IPS driver this weekend at age 18 is rookie LOGAN GOMEZ, one of Lloyd's two team-mates. Logan was born and raised in nearby Crown Point, Indiana.

The only car not qualifying was #44 for SpeedWorks, which has not been on track at all so far. It had not named a driver.